We asked the campus community to nominate seniors who are deserving of recognition, so we can showcase how much the Class of 2020 means to UConn. We’ll be posting interviews with selected seniors as our Senior Spotlight series. Enjoy.
Meet Chelsea Garcia!
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When are you graduating?
May 2020
What are you studying?
Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Spanish
Hometown?
Alpine, NJ
What on-campus activities/organizations are you involved in?
I was involved with UConnPirg my freshman year. I worked on the ban bottle campaign and the New Voters Project registering several new voters. During my sophomore year, I was an international conversation partner with Cross Cultural Connections. Afterwards, I volunteered my time towards Mansfield Youth Services Big Friends program my junior year. I was also a FYE peer mentor and became a TME mentor. Lastly, my senior year, I was the peer mentor for the McNair Fellows UNIV course and a mentor in the METAS mentoring program run by PRLACC. Lastly, I have been involved with on campus research in Dr. Christopher Blesso’s lab since the summer after my freshman year and have spent 2 out of 3 summers working for him.
What has your day-to-day been like since virtual classes and social distancing were introduced?
I don’t really have any sort of schedule since my classes are asynchronous. I do wake up for my 8 am on M,W,F although it is not required. When I do not have class, I try to sleep in (which doesn’t end up being that late haha). Once I am up, I let the dog out and make some breakfast and coffee. After I have settled in and done everything I need to start my day then I start school work and try to work until dinner, with some snack breaks in between. I also take breaks from homework to take the dog for a walk and throw the ball for him. Once, I am done for the day I make dinner, play some Animal Crossing and watch TV. Since I have more time, I also bake multiple times a week. I am perfecting homemade cinnamon rolls slowly but surely.
Are there any campus traditions you missed, and any that you might want to take part in as an alum?
I have not been to a women’s basketball game yet.
If everything could go back to normal for one hour today, what would you use that time for?
If everything went back to normal for an hour, I don’t think I would do anything different. I am an introvert and don’t mind staying inside. However, if I had to think of something I would probably go on a TJMaxx shopping trip with my boyfriend.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I am staying at UConn for my PhD in Nutritional Sciences in Dr. Christopher Blesso’s Lab. As a graduate student, I will also be a graduate mentor for the McNair Scholars Program.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years I see myself in a postdoctoral program training to become a professor at a major research university.
If you could thank one person for their help throughout your time at UConn, who would it be and what would you say?
If I could thank one person, it would be Dr. Renée Gilberti. She has worked closely with me since my freshman year and saw the potential in me. She never gave up on me, even when I thought something wasn’t possible. She motivated me to apply to be a McNair Fellow, McNair Scholar and University Scholar. As a result, I am the first student at UConn to receive both McNair Scholar and University Scholar accolade. I would say, “Thank you so much for all that you’ve done for me. I would not be where I am today without you. It is clear that you are passionate about your work and you care for your students. One day I hope to do the same for my students as a faculty member of a university.”
What’s a piece of advice you’d like to share with the Class of 2024?
Put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone! Experience new things and take advantage of the many opportunities that will come your way. You never know what might come out of it.
Anything else we should know about you? Fun facts, hidden talents, favorite memories, advice, etc.?
I spent a semester studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina during my sophomore year. Once there, I took a class at the university to learn how to dance Tango, which was definitely my favorite part of studying abroad. I loved being immersed and learning about a new culture. In addition, I learned how to be on my own and navigate a new city.